Shloka 666
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
सधनु: सरथ: साथश्वः प्रवपन् सायकान् रणे । यह अत्यन्त अद्भुत युद्ध सम्पूर्ण लोकोंके लिये आश्चर्यजनक घटना है। भविष्यमें ऐसे युद्ध होनेकी किसी प्रकार भी सम्भावना नहीं है। बुद्धिमान पार्थ रणभूमिमें भीष्मको कदापि जीत नहीं सकते; क्योंकि वे समरभूमिमें रथ
sadhanuḥ sarathaḥ sāthaśvaḥ pravapan sāyakān raṇe |
Sañjaya berkata: Dengan busur di tangan, berada di atas keretanya bersama kuda dan para pengiring, di tengah pertempuran dia menghujani anak panah seolah-olah menabur benih. Pertarungan ini sungguh menakjubkan—peristiwa yang menghairankan semua alam. Pada masa hadapan, tiada kemungkinan perang seperti ini akan terjadi lagi. Bahkan Pārtha yang bijaksana pun tidak akan dapat menewaskan Bhīṣma di medan, kerana Bhīṣma berdiri di sana dengan kereta, kuda, dan busur, menyebarkan panahnya seperti benih di ladang perang.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage underscores the extraordinary, almost world-shaking nature of Bhīṣma’s martial prowess and the sense of inevitability that can surround dharma-bound conflict: even a wise hero like Arjuna may be unable to overcome an opponent whose strength, preparation, and destiny in that moment make him appear unconquerable.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīṣma, fully equipped with bow, chariot, and horses, is unleashing a relentless storm of arrows on the battlefield—so remarkable that it seems unparalleled in past or future—and he declares that Arjuna cannot defeat Bhīṣma under these conditions.